Characteristics of Entrepreneurs Being a successful entrepreneur requires certain personal characteristics that are different from the characteristics required of successful managers. Researchers have found ten specific personal characteristics to be most important for entrepreneurial success. This activity is important because you can evaluate your potential to succeed as an entrepreneur if you understand the personal characteristics that are most essential for entrepreneurial endeavors. The goal of this activity is to challenge your knowledge of the ten most important characteristics for entrepreneurs. Match each person to the characteristic of entrepreneurs that their scenario best exemplifies. 7 Internal Locus of Control Risk Propensity 2 8 Positive Intentions and Attitudes Innovative/Creative Ability Match each of the options above to the items below. 3 9 Generalized Self- Efficacy Proactivity and Work Ethic 4 10 Tolerance for Ambiguity Need for Autonomy 5 Need to Achieve 6 Big Five Personality Dimensions Mackenzie is willing to put her personal savings on the line in order to start a new business. Finn typically feels confident in his ability to be successful at new things. Thus, he is positive about his ability to handle the various aspects of running a business, even though he has never hired, managed, or compensated employees before. Sumiko is motivated by working toward challenging goals, particularly when those goals are self-imposed. Hamid is willing to forego the security that comes from working for someone else so that he can be free to take his business in whatever direction he deems best. Darryl is successful as an entrepreneur, in part, because he is very sociable, persistent, secure, and broadminded. Makayla is very comfortable having to make decisions for her business in the face of limited and incomplete information. In his business ventures, Christiano has an eye toward the future and aims to create value for his customers that they didn't yet realize they needed. Gabriella has been successful in her business ventures in part because she sees herself as the master of her own destiny. Farrah uses her businesses to create new and inventive products. McKale is motivated to start a new venture because they believe that doing so is a way to make positive change in the community. Their professional contacts agree and are supporting McKale by investing the necessary funds into the startup.